SHIVAMOGGA: The appointment of vice-chancellors to different universities of the state still remains a distant dream.
The billion-dollar question is how much more time does the government need even after the search committee has recommended the names of probable candidates?
The situation at Kuvempu University here is worrisome. The term of Prof T R Manjunath, seniormost dean who has also been working as in-charge vice-chancellor of Kuvempu University since July 2014, is set to end on April 25. Another in-charge vice-chancellor will be appointed if the government fails to nominate a candidate before April 25.
“Soon, the state government will announce the elections for gram panchayats and other local bodies. In that case, the election code of conduct will be in place and the VC’s appointment will be postponed again. We will again have the next seniormost dean of the university taking charge as in-charge vice-chancellor,” a professor of the university said.
Academicians at the university also said the delay in the appointment of a regular vice-chancellor has led to differences between the incumbent vice-chancellor and registrar.
This non-cooperation between the two authorities is affecting the smooth running of the university administration, they said. As a result of this, no major decisions with regard to academic activities can be taken, they added.
Sources said the disagreements between the incharge vice-chancellor and registrar have even reached the offices of the principal secretary, Higher Education Ministry and governor’s office too, but no action has been taken.
Conducting Convocations
The Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya (VSK) University, Ballari, has set an example of sorts by conducting a convocation without a vice-chancellor.
The authorities at Kuvempu University are thinking on the same lines.
“Usually, the convocation in our university is held sometime in January or February. When VSK University can hold its convocation even though there is no regular vice-chancellor, why can’t Kuvempu University do the same?” asked a syndicate member.
“But as there is no proper coordination between the higher authorities in the university, this has been put on hold. In the end, the student community will suffer,” the member said.
The search committee has shortlisted the probable candidates for the vice-chancellor’s post: Prof T Nagabhushan, Department of Computer Science, University of Mysore; Prof Jogan Shankar, Sociology Department, University of Mangalore; and Prof Chinnappa Gowda, Linguistics, University of Mangalore.
Only the appointment of a regular vice-chancellor to the Kuvempu University can resolve and streamline various long-standing academic issues, financial problems, among other activities of the university, said academicians and syndicate members.